Inspect mode in Figma - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Inspect mode in Figma helps you see detailed design information like colors, fonts, and measurements. It solves the problem of guessing design specs when handing off to developers or analysts.

When you need exact color codes from a design to use in your report or dashboard.

When you want to know the font size and style used in a chart label.

When you need to measure the spacing between elements to keep your visuals consistent.

When you want to check the exact dimensions of a button or icon in a design.

When you are collaborating with developers and need to share precise design details.

Steps

Step 1: Open your design file

- Figma desktop app or web app

Your design project appears on the canvas

Step 2: Click the Inspect tab

- Right sidebar next to Design and Prototype tabs

Inspect panel opens showing detailed properties of the selected element

Step 3: Select any element on the canvas

- Design canvas

Inspect panel updates to show that element's colors, fonts, sizes, and CSS code

Step 4: Scroll through the Inspect panel

- Right sidebar Inspect tab

You see measurements, spacing, and code snippets for the selected element

Step 5: Copy any value or code

- Inspect panel next to the property you want

Value or code is copied to your clipboard for use in your BI tool or code

Before vs After

Before

Right sidebar shows only Design tab with style editing options

After

Right sidebar shows Inspect tab with detailed element properties and code snippets

Settings Reference

Inspect panel

📍 Right sidebar in Figma app

Switch between design editing, prototyping, and inspecting element details

Default: Design

Code format

📍 Inspect panel dropdown

Choose the code snippet format to copy for developers

Default: CSS

Common Mistakes

Not selecting an element before opening Inspect mode

Inspect panel shows no details if no element is selected

Always click on an element on the canvas first to see its properties in Inspect mode

Copying values without checking code format

Code snippets may not match the target platform if wrong format is chosen

Select the correct code format (CSS, iOS, Android) in Inspect panel before copying

Summary

Inspect mode shows exact design details like colors, fonts, and sizes for any element.

It helps you get precise specs for building dashboards or sharing with developers.

Remember to select an element first and choose the right code format before copying.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of Inspect mode in Figma?

easy

A. To show detailed information about design elements like sizes and colors

B. To create new design components quickly

C. To export images in different formats

D. To add animations to design elements

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Inspect mode function

   Inspect mode provides detailed info about design elements such as sizes, colors, and fonts.

2. Step 2: Compare options with Inspect mode purpose

   Only To show detailed information about design elements like sizes and colors matches this purpose; others describe different Figma features.

3. Final Answer:

   To show detailed information about design elements like sizes and colors -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Inspect mode = detailed design info [OK]

Hint: Inspect mode = detailed design specs view [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Inspect mode with design creation tools
• Thinking Inspect mode exports images
• Assuming Inspect mode adds animations

2. Which of the following is the correct way to open Inspect mode in Figma?

easy

A. Right-click on a design element and select 'Inspect'

B. Double-click the canvas background

C. Click the 'Inspect' tab on the right panel

D. Press Ctrl + I to toggle Inspect mode

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how Inspect mode is accessed

   Inspect mode is accessed by clicking the 'Inspect' tab in the right panel of Figma.

2. Step 2: Evaluate each option

   Click the 'Inspect' tab on the right panel correctly describes this. Other options describe incorrect or unsupported actions.

3. Final Answer:

   Click the 'Inspect' tab on the right panel -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Inspect tab in right panel = open Inspect mode [OK]

Hint: Look for 'Inspect' tab on right panel [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to open Inspect mode via right-click menu
• Using keyboard shortcut Ctrl + I which doesn't open Inspect
• Double-clicking canvas background does nothing

3. In Inspect mode, if a rectangle has width 200px and height 100px, what will the size info show?

medium

A. Width: 200px, Height: 100px

B. Width: 100px, Height: 200px

C. Width: 300px, Height: 100px

D. Width: 200px, Height: 300px

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Inspect mode size display

   Inspect mode shows exact width and height of design elements as specified.

2. Step 2: Match given rectangle dimensions

   The rectangle is 200px wide and 100px tall, so Inspect mode shows Width: 200px, Height: 100px.

3. Final Answer:

   Width: 200px, Height: 100px -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Size info = exact element dimensions [OK]

Hint: Inspect mode shows exact width and height [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Swapping width and height values
• Adding dimensions incorrectly
• Assuming Inspect mode rounds sizes

4. You opened Inspect mode but see no color code for a selected text element. What is the likely issue?

medium

A. Inspect mode only shows colors for shapes, not text

B. The Inspect mode is disabled in settings

C. You need to restart Figma to see colors

D. The text element has no fill color applied

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Inspect mode color display

   Inspect mode shows color codes only if the element has a fill color applied.

2. Step 2: Analyze why no color code appears

   If a text element has no fill color, Inspect mode cannot show a color code, explaining the issue.

3. Final Answer:

   The text element has no fill color applied -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   No fill color = no color code in Inspect mode [OK]

Hint: Check if element has fill color applied [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking Inspect mode ignores text colors
• Restarting Figma unnecessarily
• Assuming Inspect mode can be disabled

5. You want to speed up handoff by sharing exact font size, color, and spacing from Figma to developers. How does Inspect mode help?

hard

A. It exports the entire design as a PDF with specs

B. It provides exact CSS code snippets for selected elements

C. It automatically creates developer documentation

D. It converts designs into editable code files

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify Inspect mode features for handoff

   Inspect mode shows exact sizes, colors, fonts, and provides CSS code snippets for developers.

2. Step 2: Compare options with Inspect mode capabilities

   Only It provides exact CSS code snippets for selected elements correctly describes Inspect mode's role in providing CSS snippets to speed up handoff.

3. Final Answer:

   It provides exact CSS code snippets for selected elements -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Inspect mode = exact CSS snippets for handoff [OK]

Hint: Inspect mode gives CSS code snippets for developers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Inspect mode with exporting PDFs
• Expecting automatic documentation creation
• Thinking Inspect mode converts designs to code files